Climate ecology

Understand the ecosystem level impacts of climate change through case studies

Climate change is transforming human society and the natural world at an extraordinary scale and pace. Humans are, however, not alone on this planet but are bound with other species in an intricate web of life with this fact often being ignored. Species respond to its changing environment differently, and their interactions with the physical world and the organisms around it trigger a cascade of responses through the entire ecosystem. Hence, though climate change happens on a global scale, the ecological impacts are often manifested at a local scale and vary from place to place and species to species. Thus, it becomes pivotal to understand how human actions may endanger their own wellbeing, as well as change the fate of other species. This course will entail learning how climate change has switched on the trail of consequences that has disrupted the balance of natural ecosystems impacting the survival and reproduction of many other species which has eventually led to the detriment of human wellbeing. Through several case studies spanning India and abroad students will understand the ecosystem level impacts of climate change.